Detachable trench hoe spade



Sept. 22, 1953 v. L. SCHIELD 2,652,640

DETACHABLE TRENCH HOE SPADE Filed Dec. 10, 1948 I I 2 Sheets-Sheet l 9INVENTOR.

VR/V 4. say/1 0 4 BY I ,1 770R! ya Patented Sept. 22, 1953 DETACHABLETRENCH HOE SPADE Vern L. Schield, Waverly, Iowa, assignor to SchieldBantam Company, Waverly, Iowa, a

corporation of Iowa Application December 10, 1948, serial Ne. 64,595 iThis invention relates to trench hoe spades. The invention is moreparticularly for detachable and interchangeable trench hoe spades.

The detachable and interchangeable trench hoe spades of the presentinvention are adaptable for use in connection with earth moving orhandling machines of the type shown in my Patents 2,402,299, June 18,1946, and 2,405,981, August 20, 1946, and wherein the trench hoe spadeis to be attached or secured to the dipper stick referred to in my saidpatents. The trench hoe spades, however, may be used on or in connectionwith other similar types of machines.

In certain types of earth moving or handling and digging operations, itis desirable to provide for flexibility of operations of various kindsand under various conditions, depending upon the particular type ofoperation that is desired} namely, digging trenches, ditches, etc. ofdifferent widths or handling earth or other material of different kindsand characteristics. Therefore, I have provided my detachable trench hoespade for association with the type of machine referred to in my saidpatents, or similar machines, and

which trench hoespades may be readily adapted for various kinds andtypes of earth moving and handling or digging operations by associatingtherewith different kinds of blades particularly blades of variouswidths and shapes and contours and which blades are quickly and readilyremoved from and secured to the frame that carries and supports thesame. Thus, provision is made for such earth working and handlingoperations as digging ditches of various widths and, likewise, waterchannels, trenches of the type that receive tile for drainage or otherpurposes and for back filling earth into a previously formed ditch,trench or channel.

I have further provided such a detachable and interchangeable trench hoespade that is of sturdy and relatively inexpensive construction andwhich, at the outset, is capable of being formed of individualprefabricated parts which, when assembled together, constitute frame andblade sub assemblies that are readily detachably and interchangeablyconnected together. Further, the disposition ,of the various elements orindividual parts constituting the trench hoe spade in its entirety andthe sizes and weights of the same are such that the entire trench hoespade is properly balanced and equalized when in use; thus, the earthhandling or digging operations are quite efliciently accomplished.

Interchangeability of the blades is accomplished in a relatively shortperiod of time as 9 Claims. (01. 37-103) this requires simply theremoval of a few bolts that secure one blade to its supporting andcarrying frame and the immediate substitution and object of my inventionto provide an attachment or an accessory for earth moving or handlingmachines in the form of a detachable and interchangeable trench hoespade, the blade of which is readily attachable and detachable from itscarrying and supporting frame and thus providing for effective diggingof ditches, channels, trenches, etc. of varying widths and for earthmoving and handling operations as the occasion demands.

Another object of my invention is to provide a trench hoe spadeincluding a carrying frame for blades of different sizes and widths thatmay be readily attached and detached therefrom.

Another object of my invention is to provide a trench hoe spade whereinthe component elements comprising the same in its entirety areprefabricated and readily assembled.

Another object of my invention is to provide a trench hoe spadeincluding a supporting and carrying frame for detachable andinterchangeable blades of varying sizes and widths and which frame,without alteration, is constructed so that the said blades are readilyattached, detached and interchanged.

A further object of my invention is to provide a detachable trench hoespade consisting of relatively few inexpensive component elements orparts, which, when assembled in their proper respective relationships,result in a device possessing unusual inherent rigid and sturdycharacteristics.

Another object of my invention is to provide a sub-assembly of partsconsisting of a blade carrying and supporting frame and a bladesub-assembly, the blade assembly being detachable from the frame or viceversa.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in theconstruction and novel combination and arrangement of parts hereineafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings andpointed out in the claims hereto appended, it being understood thatvari-' ous changes in the form, proportions, and minor details ofconstruction, within the scope of the claims, may be resorted to withoutdeparting from'the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of theinvention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a rear elevational view of the trench hoe spade;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view;

Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the componentprefabricated elements that are adapted to be associated with eachother;

Fig. 4 is a view slightly in perspective showing the frame or carrierfor the blade;

Fig. 5 is a view showing one form of blade;

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view on the line 66 of Fig. 2 lookingin the direction of the arrows;

Fig. '7 is a transverse sectional view on the line 1-1 of Fig. 2 lookingin the direction of the arrows; and

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view on the line 88 of Fig. 2 lookingin the direction of the arrows.

The same reference numerals in the several figures of the drawingsdenote the same parts or elements.

The invention will be more readily understood by referring tothedrawings in detail wherein the detachable trench hoe spade is denoted inits entirety by the numeral I0. Two major component elements orsub-assemblies constitute the detachable trench hoe spade in itsentirety; namely, the frame assembly l2 and the blade assembly I3.

It is understood, of course, that the component elements constitutingthe detachable trench hoe spade are fabricated from suitable metal andmay be rolled, cast, stamped or otherwise individually produced.

The frame assembly includes similarly formed elongated, substantiallyflat, spaced, parallelly disposed sides in the form of plates l4 and 15.The rear edges l6 and 11 respectively of the said frame sides preferablyhave a gradual increasing curvature from their upper ends to their lowerends and which curved edges of each of the frame sides or plates are inparallel spaced relationship as are the substantially straight upperfront edges thereof 18 and 19. These upper front edges l8 and I9 extendfrom their top ends to a point substantially midway of their lower endsand the lower front edges 20 and 2] of the plates or frame sides [4 and15 are arcuate or curved inwardly similarly to the lower curved rearedges l6 and I1 and are tapering toward their lower ends and are ofsubstantially less width than the upper portions of the frame sides. Theframe sides l4 and I5 are maintained in their fixed parallelrelationship at their bottom or lower ends 22 by means of a transverselyextending angle iron blade attaching bracket and frame connector 23, theends of which angle iron project laterally beyond the outer faces of theframe side plates [4 and IS. The frame sides may further be maintainedin their spaced parallel relationship by means of one or more connectingbraces 24 that extend between, and the ends of which are welded orotherwise secured to, the inner faces or walls of the frame sides l4 and[5 at a point or points inwardly of the ends of the said frame sides.

The extreme lower ends 22 of the frame side plates are undercut at 22aand provide shoulders S and, likewise, the lower front edges 21 of theframe sides are cut back or inset, as at Zia, and provides shoulders H,which undercut and cut back portion of the lower end of the frame sidesprovide for the flush mounting therein respectively of the flanges ofthe angular bracket 23 and which bracket is welded or otherwise securedto the lower ends and front edges of the frame sides. Adjacent the upperends 25 of the frame sides a plurality of openings 26 are provided for apurpose later described.

Substantially intermediate the ends of the frame sides and on the outerface thereof there is inclinedly attached, as by welding or otherwise,right-angularly shaped, or substantially L- shaped, brackets 21 one Webof which extends laterally from each of the outer faces of the framesides and has an opening 28 therein. Likewise, in the bracket 23 at thebottom of the frame, in each of its flanges that project beyond thesides of the frame, openings 29 and 30 are provided, for a purpose laterreferred to herein.

Preferably above the brackets 21, there are secured, by welding orotherwise, sheath bridle bosses or plates 3| which are flat andsubstantially rectangular in outline and each having an end portion 32that projects forwardly beyond the substantially straight side edges [3and H! of the frame sides and which bosses have on their outer extendingportions relatively reduced and outstanding sheath bridle pin collars33, whicheach have an opening therethrough in registry with openings 33ain the extended portions of each of the sheath bridle bosses.

Having described the frame assembly, I now refer specifically to theblade assembly which includes the blade per se 34, which blade is ofrather substantial length from end to end and is curved, thus providinga convex rear surface 35 and a concave smooth front surface or face 36.On the convex or rear curved surface of the blade 34 there are disposed,adjacent and inwardly of the opposite side edges 31 and 38, outstanding,substantially fiat, elongated reinforcing webs or ribs 39 and 40 whichwebs are vertically curved and assume the convex formation or curvatureof the rear face of the blade and extend substantially throughout thelength of the rear face thereof but terminate inwardly of the top andbottom edges 41 and 4-2 respectively of the blade. At the lower end, thewebs 39 and 49 are in alignment with reinforcing webs 39a and 40a andwhich latter webs extend over or are integral with spacedtooth-receiving sockets 43 and 44, the ends of which sockets projectbeyond the lower end 42 of the blade adjacent either side edge thereof.Intermediate of said sockets, there is another similar tooth-receivingsocket provided with a reinforcing rib or web 46. Detachable teeth T areheld in the respective sockets by means of removable wedges W. Thetooth-receiving sockets 43, 44 and 45 are secured to the rear face ofthe curved blade 34 at the lower edge thereof as by welding or by anyother suitable means.

A transversely extending reinforcing rib or web 41 extends between thewebs 39 and 40 adjacent the bottom edge 42 of the blade and this web issecured to the rear or convex rear face of the blade by welding orotherwise in the same manner that the webs 39 and 40 are securedthereto. The transverse web 4'! is provided with spaced openings 48which register with the openings 29 in one flange of the bracket 23 thatis carried by the lower ends of the frame sides plates. Spacedcountersunk openings 43 are provided in the blade 34, which openingsregister with the openings 30 in the other flange of the bracket 23.Still further spaced countersunk openings 59 are provided in the curvedblade adjacent but inwardly of its upper edge 4| and which openingsregister with theopenings 28 in the flanges of the brackets 2'! that arecarried by the frame side plates [4 and I5.

The dipper'st ick'assembly, which is conven tional in most earthhandling machines, consists of a hollow or solid column 5| and isprovided, adjacent its lower end 52, with a transverse opening 53 whichextends clear through the same, and spaced from the said openingupwardly on the stick 5|, there is another opening 54' which extendsclear through the same. With the dipper stick 51 positioned between andpreferably in contact with the inner faces of the frame'side plates I 4and [5, the opening 53 is in register with openings 55 in the sheathbridle bosses 31 which is, likewise, in registry with registeredopenings 56 in the frame side plates l6 and I5, and through whichopenings, a cylindrical pin '51, having cotter pin openings 53 thereinadjacent its opposite ends, is positioned thus allowing for intentionalmovement of the ho'e with respect to the dipper stick for disposing thehoe at different angular adjusted positions. The cylindrical in '51 ismaintained in position by means of removable cotter keys or pins 59.

When it is desired to adjust the angular disposition' of the blade withrespect to the dipper stick, it is simply necessary to move or pivot theframe 'or dipper stick on the cylindrical pin 51, after having first, ofcourse, removed the bolt 60, and then, by selecting any one of theplurality of openings 26 adjacent the top of the frame sides andinserting the bolt 66 in any of the selected registered openings andthrough the opening 54 in the dipper stick, the angular adjustment orpositioning of the blade is effected.

The transversely extending blade attaching bracket 23 at the bottom ofthe frame side plates rests on and is supported by the transverselyextending reinforcing web 41 and, thus, the openings 29 and 39 in theflange of the bracket 23 are automatically properly aligned respectivelywith openings Q8 and 49 in the transverse web and the blade, andlikewise, the openings 28 in the brackets 27 are aligned with openings50 in the upper portion of the blade 34. Suitable removable bolts orother securing means Bl secure the frame'and its bracket 23 to thetransverse web 47 as, likewise, do the removable bolts 62 which extendthrough the registered openings 30 and 49 in the bracket 23 and bladerespectively. Further, securing of the frame to the blade or vice versais'effected by means of removable bolts 63 which are in the registeredopenings 28 and 50 in the bracket 21 and blade respectively.

The degree of curvature of the lower end portions of the frame sides l4and i5 is such that it conforms with the curvature or convex rear faceportion of the blade 34, and, when the frame assembly and the bladeassembly are connected and associated together by means of the aforesaidbolts, etc., there results a rather effectively reinforced and rigidtrench hoe spade. The reinforcing webs or ribs 39 and 40, along with thereinforcing rib 47, it will be seen, greatly strengthens and rigidifiesthe blade structure per se.

It is obvious that, with the removal of the aforementioned bolts, whichdetachably secure the blade assembly to the frame assembly, bladeassemblies of different widths, depending upon the character of workthat is to be performed, can, therefore, be readily interchanged withthe frame assembly. 1

It is understood, of course, that, regardless. of the size or width ofthe blade used, the rein-' forcing ribs Or webs on the blades and theblade attaching bracket 23 will all be uniform as regards spacing andsize, thus standardizing the two assemblies and providing for readyattachment, detachment and interchanging of manydifferent blades.

What is claimed is:

1. An earth handlin or digging hoe adapted to be detachably connectedwith a conventional dipper stick of an earth handling machine whereinthe hoe consists of a blade supporting and carrying frame assembly and aseparate blade assembly, the frame consisting of two substantially fiat,spaced, elongated plates, the blade being curved and having a convexrear surface on which is secured a transversely extending rein-' forcingrib adjacent its lower edge and a vertically extending reinforcing ribadjacent each side thereof and terminating short of the top edge of theblade, the frame having a transversely extending blade attaching bracketand frame connector adjacent its lower end, the said bracket and theframe to which it is attached resting on the transversely! extending ribon the rear convex surface of the blade, and means for detachablysecuring the said bracket and the transversely extending rib together.

2. An earth handling or digging implement of the type adapted to bedetachably secured to the dipper stick of an earth handling machinewherein the implement consists ofa blade supporting frame and a blade,the frame including spaced, elongated, substantially flat plates, theextreme lower edges and a portion of the inner side edges of the spacedframe plates being cut' out to form shoulders respectively at the bottomof the plates and the inner lower edges thereof, a right-angularlyshaped transversely extending blade attaching bracket with the flangesthereof seated and secured in the cut out lower portion of the platesand with the edges of the flanges of the bracket abutting the shoulders,the inner lower edges of the frame being curved, the rear surface of theblade being curved to conform with the curvature of the inner edges ofthe frame, a transversely extending reinforcing rib on the curved rearsurface of the blade adjacent the lower edge thereof, and means fordetachably securing the bracket fixed to the frame to the transverselyextending rib on the rear curved surface of the blade.

3. An earth handling or digging implement consisting of a frame forcarrying and supporting a blade, and the blade, the frame comprisingspaced, elongated, substantially flat plates, a transversely extendingblade attaching bracket and frame carrier at the lower ends of theplates, right-angularly shaped brackets, one web of which extendslaterally from the outer face of each of the plates of the frame andwhich brackets are spaced from the transversely extending bracket,sheath bridle bosses consisting of rectangularly shaped plates securedto the 0pposite faces of the frame plates above the rightangularlyshaped brackets and having a portion of each thereof extending beyondthe front edge of the frame plate, the blade being curved and presentinga convex rear surface, a transversely extending reinforcing rib on theblade adjacent its lower edge and reinforcing ribs adjacent each sideedge of the curved blade on the rear surface thereof, the bracket on theframe plates being provided with openings that register with openings inthe transversely extending reinforcing rib and openings in the blade andthe laterally extending portions of the right-angularly shaped bracketsbeing likewise provided with openings which register with openings inthe blade adjacent the top edge thereof, and removable fasteners forinsertion in all of the aforementioned openings, whereby the blade ordifferent blades are detachably secured to the frame.

4. An earth handling or digging implement consisting of a blade carryingand supporting frame, two similarly formed elongated, substantiallyflat, spaced plates, an angle shaped metal blade attaching bracket andframe connector fixedly secured to the lower ends of said plates, theinner lower edges of said plates being curved, a blade having a curvedrear surface, a transversely extending reinforcing web on the bladeadjacent its lower edge, the bracket of the frame resting on said web,means for detachably securing the bracket and the web together, and thecurved inner lower edges of the frame plates conforming with thecurvature of the rear surface of the blade.

5. An earth handling or digging implement as described in claim 4wherein the lower bottom and inner edges of the frame plates are cut outand provide shoulders, and the angle shaped metal bracket positioned inthe cut out portion, and with the edges of its flanges abutting the saidshoulders, and the angle shaped metal bracket extending laterally beyondthe outer side faces of the frame plates.

6. An earth handling or digging implement as described in and by claim 4wherein right-angularly shaped brackets are provided on the oppositeouter faces of the frame plates above the bracket at the end thereof,and these brackets and the blade attaching bracket and frame connetcoreach having openings therein which register with openings in the blade,and detachable securing means positioned in the registered openings sothat blades of different sizes and widths can be associated with theblade carrier frame.

7. An earth handling or digging hoe consisting of prefabricated frameand blade assemblies, the frame assembly including upright side platesspaced transversely from each other and adapted to be secured toopposite sides of a dipper stick, a member fixedly secured to lower endsof said plates transversely thereof and having end portions projectinglaterally therefrom, the blade having a transversely extending rib rigidwith and projecting rearwardly from its rear surface,

and fasteners detachably securing the: projecting end portions of saidmember to said rib and. to the rear surface of the blade.

8. An earth handling or digging hoe consisting of frame and bladeassemblies, a reinforcing rib extending across the rear surface of theblade in spaced relation to the lower end thereof, vertical reinforcingribs rigid with and extending upwardly from opposite ends of saidtransverse rib adjacent side edges of the blade, the frame beingdisposed vertically in close fitting engagement with the rear surface ofthe blade midway the width thereof above the transverse rib, a barmounted across the lower end of said frame and having end portionsprojecting laterally therefrom, and fasteners detachably securing saidbar upon the transverse rib and to the rear face of the blade betweenthe vertical ribs.

9. An earth handling or digging implement including transversely spaced,elongated, substantially flat side plates, a transversely extendingblade attaching bracket mounted across the lower ends of said plates andprojecting from outer sides thereof, the lower portions of front edgesof the said spaced frame plates being vertically curved, a detachableearth handling or digging blade having a curved rear surface contactingthe curved portion of the front edges of said plates, a transverselyextending reinforcing rib adjacent the lower edge of said blade, andremovable fasteners detachably securing the bracket on the frame to thetransversely extending reinforcing rib on the rear curved surface of theblade.

VERN L. SCHIELD.

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